Touring Uzbekistan as a tourist
So it's a bit different visiting these parts with Mr Limey in tow ... and a bit the same.
We checked in our luggage whereas I used to travel hand-baggage only (here in winter for tourism required more clothing) and I am still mildly amazed that it arrived when we did given that we were late landing in Istanbul so had to sprint to the Tashkent gate where boarding had allegedly started. I am speaking English much more to keep Mr Limey in the loop so am aware of being considerably more conspicuous as a Westerner. But the first day routine of catching up on a little sleep, changing money (UZS 8,000 or so to USD 1), and buying local sim card each for the phone (USD 12 for network registration, 5GB of data and 2 hours of local calls) was my standard practice. We also bought some groceries to stock up the fridge in our hotel room and other necessities: USD 5.50 for bread, fruit juice, sausage, loo roll and razors. The shop gave me the picked gherkin i requested from the vat of clearly home-preserved produce as a free gift! Another USD 5.50 for 2.5 litres of beer and a bottle of very pleasant Georgian-style wine. Dinner in the hotel was USD 20 for 2 courses each and a couple of beers including tip. The bar here where we ate is a separate business leasing space in the hotel premises so there's no putting stuff on the bill. This business model is common in FSU territories I believe. There was a big, noisy pre-New Year party in the hotel restaurant this evening. It also seems that the group tour I biked us on consists of a group of just us 2! Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk |
You're the whole group?!
That will be a great treat. |
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The huddling for warmth is better that way. I imagine being a strictly English speaker would be a lot more difficult.
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Do you have a busy itinerary?
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Sounds wonderful. Can't wait to hear all about it. Travel safely.
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Guided tours and free time everywhere. I think yes is the answer. Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk |
Your trip sounds fabulous! Please keep us updated, oh and . . . pics or it didn't happen. ;)
*jealous* |
Have just realised I must give an account of yesterday before today overwrites it!
First off a visit to the religious centre of Uzbekistan. The religious leader is appointed by the President. The buildings below are among the oldest in Tashkent, which was flattened by an earthquake in 1966 in which just 9 people died. This was built as a madrassah or religious school but is now a craft centre. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...4f2bc62940.jpg Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk |
next up a visit to the main food market in the centre of town. It was rammed with people buying extra yummy food to celebrate new year's eve. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...bf30285061.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...75ca4ce206.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...88a0583960.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...842b88ccf4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...111df906e2.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d2d0978499.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d1d5c7ff07.jpg
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It all looks so good.
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Looks like there's no food shortage, of course like anywhere else, if you can afford it. ;)
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Then a trip to Amir Timur square. You'll recognise this fine example of Soviet brutalist architecture because there where I've stayed in previous visits. Amir Timur was a military leader in the 13th century.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...061d63618e.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...99fee58357.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5a1e7231b9.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0b47c7ae26.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f048a95b67.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...053a7975e9.jpg Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk |
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I was hoping to get a live view of Uzbekistan from space; but, the ISS passed over way south along Turkmenistan-Iran border a little while ago. Subsequent orbits will be moving further away. Signal reception is spotty from that part of the globe anyway.
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